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_A_  Man  of  God. 


A 

COMMEMOEATIYE  DISCOUESE 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  THE  DATE 


HON.  EDWARD  A.  NEWTON. 


Qelibtrjjj  in  St.  Sfepl^tn’s  Ctjapfl,  Boston, 


ON  THE  EVENING  OF  THE 


SIXTEENTH  SUNDAY  AFTER  TRINITY,  SEPTEMBER  28,  1862. 


THE  REV.  GEO.  M.  RANDALL,  D.D. 


Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Messiah. 


A 


BOSTON  : 

E.  F.  nXITTONT  COMIFA^NY. 

1 8 6 2. 


St.  Stephen’s  House, 
Sept.  1,  1862. 

Rev.  G.  M.  Randall, 

Dear  Doctor — I am  anxious  that  we  should,  as  well  for  our  own  profit  and 
comfort,  as  for  the  love  and  respect  we  bear  our  late  friend,  the  Hon.  Edward  A. 
Newton,  suitably  notice  the  loss  our  Church,  in  Massachusetts,  has  sufiercd,  in  the 
death  of  one  of  the  oldest,  most  useful,  and  most  devoted  of  its  members. 

Wifi  you,  therefore,  do  us  the  favor  to  prepare  a memorial  discourse  for  the 
occasion,  to  be  delivered  at  St.  Stephen’s  Chapel,  at  such  time  as  will  suit  your 
convenience  ? Dr.  S.  P.  Tuckerman  will  arrange  and  conduct  the  music  on  the 
occasion. 

Very  respectfully, 

your  friend  and  brother, 

E.  M.  P.  WELLS. 


Boston,  Sept.  6,  1862. 

Itev.  and  Dear  Bro. — Your  note  of  the  1st  inst.  reached  me  at  Warren. 

It  would  afford  me  much  pleasure  to  contribute  any  thing  in  my  power,  to 
perpetuate  the  memory  of  one  so  worthy  of  grateful  remembrance,  as  our  late  much 
respected  and  mutual  friend,  Mr.  Newton. 

I would  gladly  comply  with  your  request,  had  I the  requisite  material  for  such 
a discourse  as  would  do  justice  to  his  character. 

If  you  will  accept  what  I may  be  able  to  prepare,  with  the  limited  means  at 
my  command,  I will  venture  to  undertake  the  labor  to  which  you  have  invited  me. 

The  last  Sunday  evening  in  the  this  month  will  best  suit  my  convenience,  as 
the  time  for  its  delivery. 

Very  truly  yours, 

GEO.  M.  RANDALL. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wells. 


B 


SERMON. 


“A  MAN  OF  OOD.”— 1 Same,  ix  : 6. 


The  noblest  name  ever  bestowed  upon  a mortal, 
was  given  to  the  prophet,  when  he  was  called, 
man  of  God'' 

The  lapse  of  ages  has  wrought  no  change  in  the 
glory  of  this  title.  It  is  now,  as  it  ever  must  be, 
the  highest  designation,  that  a human  being  can 
attain  in  a fallen  world. 

The  children  of  men,  are  naturally  ambitious. 
They  aim  at  distinction,  and  struggle  for  titles. 
Harely  is  one  found  so  strangely  unrelated  to  the 
world  around  him,  that  he  neither  seeks  nor  desires 
a place  of  prominence  or  power,  and  cares  not  for 
the  record  of  his  life,  which  others  are  to  read. 
The  distinctions  of  the  world  are  sometimes  ac-  * 
corded  to  him  who  labors  for  them,  though  rarely 
to  the  full  measure  of  the  ever  expanding  demands 
of  his  ever  aspiring  spirit. 

BURTON  HIST,  COLUCTION 
DETROIT 

FXCHANGE  OUrUCATE 


4 


This  universal  disposition  is  early  developed. 
The  young  man  aims  to  be  a man  of  wealth  ; or,  he 
desires  to  be  a man  of  talent ; he  strives  to  be  a 
man  of  influence  ; he  covets  the  place  of  a man  of 
power;  he  is  anxious  to  be  a man  of  learning. 
Honors  have  a charm  for  his  young  eye,  and  he 
wants  to  wear  them,  just  so  soon  as  he  reaches  a 
man’s  estate. 

Nor  does  this  feeling  subside  when  the  ardor  of 
youth  gives  place  to  the  sterner  qualities  of  mature 
life.  It  marks  distinctly,  the  manhood  of  the  race, 
until  it  reaches  the  second  childhood. 

Yet,  how  like  man  himself  are  the  distinctions 
for  which  he  lives  and  labors  ? They  are  here 
to-day  and  are  gone  to-morrow.  Like  the  morning 
cloud,  they  take  on  the  form  of  substantial  beauty, 
and  stand  above  the  horizon,  emblazoned  by  the 
glories  of  a rising  sun,  and  in  an  hour,  they  have 
vanished.  They  have  faded  away,  like  a dissolving 
view,  beyond  the  reach  of  any  resurrection  of 
earth. 

In  contrast  with  all  this,  there  is  an  abiding  dis- 
tinction, which  towers  infinitely  above  them  all ; 
lies  beyond  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide  of  human 
event ; is  at  the  mercy  of  no  fickle  fortune,  and 
which  neither  comes  nor  goes  at  the  capricious  bid- 
ding of  the  popular  will ; it  is  the  immortal  honor 


5 


attained  by  Samuel  the  Seer,  when  he  received  the 
title  accorded  to  him  in  the  text:  ‘‘A  man  of  God.” 

That  name,  above  every  name  of  earth  ; that  title, 
before  which  every  honor  of  the  world  pales  into 
a blank,  is  within  the  reach  of  every  child  of  Adam. 
There  is  no  better  passport  for  the  living,  no  nobler 
eulogy  for  the  dead,  than  that  which  is  found  in  this 
appellation.  But  this  distinction  is  not  limited  to 
the  ages  of  time.  It  goes  with  the  soul,  in  its 
joyous  journey  to  paradise  ; and  while  it  marks  the 
track  of  life  on  earth,  with  a bright  line  of  celestial 
light  that  makes  the  memory  of  the  saint  precious 
and  profitable,  it  sheds  a halo  over  the  spirit  in 
the  spirit-world,  which  in  the  celestial  atmosphere 
of  heaven,  is  intensified  into  “a  crown  of  glory  that 
fadeth  not  away.” 

It  surely  becomes  us,  to  have  an  intelligent  appre- 
ciation of  those  elements  of  character  which  consti- 
tute a claim  to  this  great  jjrerogative  of  immortality. 

“ A man  of  God  ” is  he,  who,  while  he  believes  in 
God,  keeps  his  heart  and  life  in  harmony  with  his 
belief.  He  walks  and  works  as  under  the  eye  of 
that  Omnicient  Being,  who  takes  cognizance  of 
every  thing  of  earth,  from  the  fall  of  a sparrow  to 
the  founding  of  an  empire ; to  whom  he  is  to 
‘‘  render  an  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the  body,” 
when  that  body  has  done  its  deeds ; looking  daily 


6 


and  diligently  to  Him  for  direction  and  for  protec- 
tion, and  for  that  perennial  blessing,  which  alone 
can  crown  his  life  and  its  labors,  with  the  abiding 
glories  of  a true  success. 

Recognizing  the  Sovereign  of  the  skies  as  the 
supreme  source  of  every  good,  he  walks  humbly 
before  Him  in  a conscious  sense  of  his  unworthi- 
ness, and  has  no  proud  looks,  nor  defiant  thoughts, 
nor  rebellious  words.  The  spirit  of  an  humble  sub- 
mission and  a holy  obedience  rules  in  his  heart, 
controls  his  life,  and  identifies  his  career  with  the 
cause  of  Heaven. 

The  “man  of  God”  believes  the  Word  of  God, 
and  receives  it  as  a revelation  of  the  Divine  will : 
a message  from  his  Father  to  himself,  written  for 
his  learning.  He  believes  in  its  inspiration,  in  its 
infallible  wisdom,  its  gracious  promises,  its  Divine 
laws,  its  system  of  salvation.  He  makes  it  the  rule 
of  his  life  in  time, — the  foundation  of  his  hope  in 
eternity.  He  loves  it  and  he  honors  it,  and  holds 
fast  to  it,  as  the  most  precious  treasure,  that  the 
Creator  has  committed  to  his  hands. 

The  man  of  God''  is  a man  of  prayer.  His 
filial,  fervent  love  makes  him  such.  As  a child,  he 
seeks  for  communion  with  his  Father  in  Heaven. 
To  Him  he  looks,  and  delights  to  look,  for  pardon 
for  the  past,  for  strength  for  the  present,  and  for 


• 7 

direction  in  the  future.  Feeling  his  sinfulness,  he 
hastens  to  confess  it ; conscious  of  his  entire  depend- 
ence upon  the  bounties  of  the  Divine  hand,  he 
implores  the  gift  which  both  soul  and  body  require, 
and  as  gratefully,  thanks  the  mercy  that  bestows  it. 

He  sees  the  hand  of  the  Almighty,  in  every  event 
that  betides  his  pilgrimage,  and  seeks  to  have  his 
prosperity  and  his  adversity  sanctified  to  his  best 
good.  ' 

The  “ man  of  God'"  is,  moreover,  a man  of  faith. 
This  is  the  light  of  the  law  by  which  he  walks, 
and  by  which  he  sees  two  worlds  at  once.  By  this 
his  religion  is  made  a reality.  His  faith  in  the 
power  and  wisdom  and  goodness  of  Him,  in  whom 
he  believes,  is  firm  and  abiding.  He  has  faith  in 
the  Gospel,  as  the  only  way  of  salvation,  in  all  the 
means  of  grace  therein  ordained,  for  the  rescue  of 
a ruined  world,  from  the  joint  dominion  of  death 
and  the  devil. 

The  “ man  of  God^'  has  faith  in  the  Son  of  God  : 
in  His  divinity,  in  His  atonement,  in  His  interces- 
sion, in  His  all  sufficiency,  as  the  Saviour  of  man- 
• kind. 

He  has  faith  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  the  world’s 
regenerator ; the  soul’s  sanctifier ; the  Christian’s 
comforter. 

The  ‘‘  man  of  God''  has  faith  in  the  church  of 


8 


God,  because  it  is  the  church  of  God.  It  is,  in  his 
eyes,  hallowed  by  the  promised  presence  of  Him 
who  founded  it  upon  the  rock  of  his  own  immuta- 
bility, and  has  replenished  it  with  the  life  giving 
graces  of  His  Holy  Spirit ; and  has  cast  about  it 
the  shield  of  His  own  divinity,  so  that  “the  gates  of 
hell  shall  never  prevail  against  it.”  He  has  faith 
in  it,  as  the  divinely  ordained  reformer  of  the  world, 
in  its  ultimate  triumph  over  all  opposition ; in  its 
grand  consummation  of  the  great  work  of  evangel- 
izing the  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  so  that  they  shall 
become  the  kingdoms  of  Christ.  Hence  he  is  loyal 
to  it ; loves  it,  serves  it,  defends  it ; labors  to  extend 
it,  delights  to  dwell  in  it,  and  hopes  to  die  in  it. 

The  man  of  God''  honors  the  ordinances  of 
God,  by  promptly  receiving  them,  and  devoutly 
employing  them,  because  they  have  been  divinely 
established.  It  is  the  divinity  of  their  authority 
which  is  to  him,  conclusive  of  their  necessity. 
Hence,  he  neither  dares  nor  desires  to  undervalue 
them,  nor  to  neglect  them.  lie  does  not  allow  the 
superstitions  of  any  class  of  Christians,  to  draw  him 
into  an  undue  estimate,  nor  to  drive  him  into  an 
unlawful  neglect  of  what  God  has  ordained  as 
sacraments  in  His  church.  He  holds  to  them, 
honors  them,  uses  them,  as  the  creations  of  Christ 
for  the  special  spiritual  benefit  of  his  people.  He 


9 


makes  them  just  as  important  as  Christ  made  them, 
no  more  and  no  less.  He  is  not  afraid  to  place  this 
value  on  them,  feeling  that  when  he  rightly  rever- 
ences and  duly  employs  them,  he  honors  Him  who 
ordained  them,  and  receives  a spiritual  benefit  in  his 
own  soul. 

The  “ man  of  God^'  is  he  who  is  no  longer  “ a 
man  of  the  world.”  He  has  learned,  and  is  acting 
upon  the  lesson,  that  he  “ cannot  serve  two  mas- 
ters.” He  has  submitted  himself  to  the  sovereignty 
of  the  Most  High.  Having  surrendered  his  own  will 
to  that  of  his  Maker,  he  subjects  his  reason  to  Rev- 
elation, and  thus  completely  subordinates  the  human 
to  the  Divine  ; hence  he  does  with  a willing  heart 
and  ready  hand,  whatever  God  requires  him  to  do, 
whether  he  be  able  to  see  the  reason  for  it  or  not. 
His  life  is,  therefore,  always  and  everywhere,  marked 
by  a spirit  of  hopeful,  trustful  obedience. 

The  ’'^man  of  God^"  is  a man  of  holiness;  since 
“ God  is  holy,”  and  ‘‘  without  holiness  ” no  man  can 
see  God.  He  aims  to  be  perfect  as  God  is  perfect, 
and  holiness  is  the  crowning  excellency  of  that  per- 
fection. He  seeks  to  clear  himself  of  the  entangle- 
ments of  sin,  and  to  wed  his  heart  and  life  to  the 
principles  and  the  pursuits  of  the  undefiled. 

God  in  man,  is  the  immaculate  model  of  the 
“ man  of  GodT  Jesus  Christ  is  his  great  exemplar. 

2 


10 


To  walk  in  the  steps  of  the  Son  of  God,  as  He 
walked  when  he  was  in  the  flesh,  to  have  His  mind, 
to  cultivate  His  spirit,  to  imitate  His  conduct,  to  obey 
His  precepts,  to  follow  after  Him  and  as  near  to  Him 
as  he  can,  is  the  aim  and  the  effort  of  the  “ man  of 
God.”  All  his  duties  and  all  his  pleasures  are  grad- 
uated by  the  scale  of  a divine  love  and  law,  marked 
by  the  unerring  hand  of  Jesus.  Hence,  as  a sinner, 
seeking  his  salvation,  as  a saint  glorifying  his  Ke- 
deemer,  and  laboring  for  others’  welfare,  he  abides 
in  the  church,  and  proves  by  the  soundness  of  his 
faith,  by  the  faithfulness  of  his  labors,  and  by  the 
integrity  of  his  heart  and  life,  the  genuineness  of 
his  profession. 

But  the  “man  of  God”  is  not  only  a faithful 
Christian^  but  a dutiful  citizen.  He  regards  Jehovah 
as  the  King  of  two  kingdoms,  and  himself  the  sub- 
ject of  both.  Hence,  he  is  as  careful  to  be  as 
correct  in  his  business  as  he  is  devout  in  his  devo- 
tions ; and  is  loyal  to  the  State  and  to  the  Church, 
since  the  government  of  each  is  divine. 

In  rendering  to  “ Caesar  the  things  which  are 
Caesar’s,”  in  “honoring  and  obeying  the  civil  author- 
ity,” in  cheerfully  bearing  the  burden  of  the  public 
weal,  in  promoting  good  order,  in  respecting  the 
laws,  in  sustaining  the  government,  he  does  what  he 
deems  to  be  the  duties  of  his  religion ; and  thereby 
shows  to  the  world,  that  he  is  “ a man  of  God." 


11 


When  God  calls  the  “ man  of  God  ” to  die  in 
defence  of  the  faith,  then  he  goes  cheerfully  to  the 
stake,  to  receive  the  crown  of  martyrdom.  When 
“ Caesar  ” calls  him  to  the  scene  of  fiery  conflict,  in 
defence  ■ of  that  Government,  which  Heaven  has 
ordained,  and  under  which  Providence  has  placed 
him,  then  he  promptly  heeds  the  call,  and  goes 
firmly  forth,  as  “ a man  of  God,”  to  fight  for  that 
heritage  of  liberty  which  Heaven  has  given  him  to 
use,  to  enjoy,  to  defend,  and  to  transmit. 

The  “ man  of  God”  unites  in  his  life,  the  saint 
and  the  citizen,  and  by  his  consistent  conduct  adorns 
the  character  of  both.  He  ignores  no  duty,  flinches 
at  no  hardship,  rightfully  demanded  of  him,  in 
Church  or  State.  He  manfully  stands  forth  to  bear 
the  common  burdens,  to  do  the  common  duties,  and 
to  share  the  common  dangers  with  those  who  are 
united  with  him,  in  the  same  household  of  faith,  or 
in  the  same  national  family. 

The  “ man  of  God  ” manifests  his  faith  by  his 
works,  and  carries  his  religion  into  the  world  where- 
ever  he  goes,  and  by  its  power,  hallow^s  whatever  he 
does,  and  thus  reflects  to  all  about  him,  the  bright- 
ness and  the  beauty  of  the  Sun  of  llighteousness. 

I need  not  pursue  this  analysis  further,  to  show 
the  nature  of  that  imperishable  distinction  accorded 
to  the  prophet,  in  the  words  of  the  text,  and  to 


12 


which  the  children  of  men  may  now  become  entitled, 
by  complying  with  its  conditions.  Nor  need  I 
detain  you,  by  a recital  of  the  honors  which  attach 
to  such  a character,  and  the  rewards  which  crown 
it. 

We  all  know,  very  well,  what  was  the  ministry  of 
Samuel.  He  was  a Prophet.  God  commissioned 
him  and  commanded  him  to  go  forth  and  make 
known  the  word  and  will  of  Heaven.  He  obeyed 
the  divine  behest,  and  manfully  did  his  duty,  in  his 
day  and  generation,  and  received  his  reward. 

The  “ man  of  God'^'  of  to-day,  has  not  only  a 
place  in  the  Church  of  God,  but  a mission  in  it.  It 
is  not  the  mission  of  the  Jewish  Prophet,  nor  that 
of  the  Christian  Ministry. 

It  is  the  duty  of  some  to  seek  the  Priesthood, 
because  God  calls  them  to  it.  It  is  equally  the 
duties  of  others  not  to  touch  the  Priesthood,  for  the 
reason  that  God  never  has  called  them  to  it,  and 
never  means  to  call  them  to  it.  He  sees  and  knows 
that  these  persons  can  serve  Him  and  His  cause,  a 
great  deal  better  out  of  the  ministry  than  in  it. 

The  Priesthood  is  only  one  of  a multitude  of 
modes  of  honoring  Heaven  and  blessing  man.  In 
our  Church,  the  office  of  the  laity  may  be  made 
hardly  inferior  to  the  office  of  the  Ministry,  in  the 
results  of  its  influence. 


13 


“ A man  of  God,”  who  justifies  in  all  the  rela- 
tions of  life,  his  claims  to  this  distinction,  has  a 
harvest  field  before  him,  a pressure  of  duties  upon 
him,  a crown  of  glory  above  him,  that  constitute  a 
combination  of  incentives  to  earnest  effort,  which 
has  rarely  fallen  to  the  lot  of  any  of  earth,  in 
ancient  or  modern  times. 

The  Christian  Church  is  made  up  of  a ministry  of 
three  Orders,  and  the  Lay  Order  of  Brethren.  The 
Laity  are  as  essential  to  the  church  as  the  ministry ; 
since  if  either  be  wanting,  the  church  is  incomplete. 

Men  are  not  born  ministers,  as  under  the  Jewish 
dispensation ; they  are  ordained  into  that  office. 
The  first  qualification  demanded  of  him  who  seeks 
the  ministry  of  Christ,  is,  that  he  shall  be  “ a man 
of  God.”  The  ministry  are,  therefore,  taken  from 
the  ranks  of  the  Godly  laity. 

The  body  of  believers  constitute  the  great  work- 
ing army  of  the  faithful.  They  are  the  leaven, 
whose  mission  it  is,  to  leaven  ‘‘  the  whole  lump,” 
and  by  contact,  to  communicate  to  a lost  world,  the 
elements  of  a new  life. 

This  is  the  ministry  of  the  men  of  God,  though 
they  be  not,  and  never  are  to  be,  officially,  the 
Priests  of  God.  They  have  an  office,  not  more 
subordinate  to,  than  distinct  from,  those  who  are 
commissioned  to  preach  the  Gospel  and  administer 


14 


tlie  sacraments.  In  no  branch  of  the  Church  Cath- 
olic is  the  Order  of  the  Laity  more  distinctly 
recognized  and  directly  employed  as  an  elementary 
part  of  its  constitution  in  legislative,  executive  and 
missionary  departments,  than  in  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  United  States.  No  where  has 
the  laity  a fairer  field  for  that  influence,  which  shall 
tell  directly  upon  the  onward  advance  of  the  King- 
dom of  Christ,  whereby  the  dominion  of  darkness 
shall  be  converted  into  the  empire  of  God. 

In  parochial  and  Diocesan  organizations  ; in  the 
more  general  institutions  of  the  Church  ; in  Mis- 
sionary Boards  ; Bible,  Prayer  Book  and  Educa- 
tional Societies  ; in  Sunday  Schools  ; and  as  Lay 
Headers,  the  earnest  Layman,  loyal  to  the  Church 
by  virtue  of  his  character  as  “a  man  of  God,” 
faithful  to  his  trust  in  '‘that  state  of  life,  to  which  it 
hath  pleased  God  to  call  him,”  neither  falling  below 
nor  seeking  to  rise  above  his  true  place,  may  do  a 
work  which  shall  as  much  honor  God,  and  aid  the 
Church  and  bless  the  world,  as  that  which  is  done 
hy  another,  who  has  a commission  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel and  administer  the  sacraments.  We  can  hardly 
over-estimate  the  importance  of  the  great  body  of 
Godly  men  in  the  Christian  Church,  in  the  present 
age  ; men  who  are  intelligently  religious,  piously 
earnest  in  the  work  of  the  world’s  salvation ; firm 


15 


and  efficient  in  their  profession,  faithful  in  all  their 
duties,  humble  and  holy  in  all  their  labors. 

Such  a phalanx  of  saints,  who  advance  in  seried 
ranks,  unmoved  by  winds  of  doctrine  whiffing  about 
them,  or  a frowning  opposition  standing  before  them, 
verify  the  estimate  which  the  late  revered  Bishop 
Griswold  placed  upon  them,  when  he  said:  ^^The 
laity  are  the  hope  of  the  Church'' 

But  the  man  of  God  ” has  a place  in  the  world, 
and  a power  there,  which  makes  him  potential  for 
great  good.  In  his  conduct  as  an  upright  man  of 
business,  as  a reliable  member  of  the  community 
deeply  interested  in  all  that  promotes  the  public 
welfare;  in  his  wholesome  example,  liberal  benefac- 
tions ; in  his  loyalty  as  a good  citizen,  as  the  friend 
of  good  order,  and  the  promoter  of  a true  progress, 
the  man  of  God  wields  an  influence  in  the  heart  of 
an  ungodly  world,  which  signalizes  his  career,  and 
extorts  from  the  unbelieving  a testimony  to  the 
excellency  of  true  religion,  while  he  is  made  the 
means  of  incalculable  benefit  to  his  fellowmen. 
When  such  an  one  is  removed  from  earth,  the  world 
loses  a friend,  the  church  loses  a saint,  and  eternity 
gains  a glorified  spirit. 

For  the  death  of  such  an  one,  we  mourn,  because 
we  are  bereaved  ; and  yet  we  may  rejoice,  because 
our  temporary  loss  is  his  eternal  gain. 


16 


We  weep  when  we  lay  his  baptized  dust  on  the 
hallowed  bosom  of  its  mother  earth.  But  we 
rejoice,  when  we  behold  the  handwriting  over  the 
door  of  the  tomb  : “A  man  of  God.” 

The  thought  of  a soul  at  home,  in  Heaven, 
replaces  the  sighs  of  sorrow  with  the  solace  of 
enduring  hope. 

When  one  who  has  more  than  tilled  the  allotted 
three  score  years  and  ten,  and  crowned  his  long  life 
with  abiding  testimonials  to  his  character  as  “ a man 
of  God^'  is  called  out  of  time,  it  is  fitting  that  the 
close  of  such  a career,  honorable  to  himself,  service- 
able to  the  Church,  and  profitable  to  the  world, 
should  receive  a respectful  notice  from  his  brethren, 
who  know  and  appreciate  the  fruits  of  his  life. 

When  I say  of  that  distinguished  layman  of  this 
diocese,  whose  recent  death,  we  are  here  met  to 
commemorate,  the  Hon.  Edward  A.  Newton,  he 
was  a “ Man  of  God,”  I pronounce  his  highest, 
noblest  eulogy. 

Mr.  Newton  departed  this  life  at  his  late  resi- 
dence in  Pittsfield,  in  this  State,  at  two  o’clock 
on  Monday  morning,  August  eighteenth,  in  the 
seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

For  eleven  weeks,  he  had  been  alarmingly  ill 
with  pneumonia.  For  the  first  time  in  his  long  life 
of  seventy-eight  years,  was  he  confined  to  his  bed 


17 


by  severe  illness.  This  period  of  weariness  and 
pain,  was  peculiarly  trying  to  one  of  his  active 
habits  of  mind  and  body.  He  bore  it  without  a 
murmur ; and  in  his  patient,  cheerful  resignation, 
exhibited  that  true  Christian  heroism  which  enabled 
him  to  meet  the  king  of  terrors  without  a fear,  and 
to  sweetly  fall  asleep  in  Jesus,  when  the  final 
summons  came. 

Mr.  Newton  was  born  in  Halifax,  N.  S.,  on  the 

first  day  of  May,  in  the  year  1785,  and  was  the 

/ 

second  son  of  Henry  and  Ann  Newton.  His  great 
grandfather,  Thomas  Newton,  who  died  in  Boston, 
in  1721,  was  the  Attorney  General  of  the  Prov- 
ince, and  Comptroller  of  the  customs,  and  one  of 
the  first  to  assist  in  establishing  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  this  country.  He  was  warden  of 
the  first  Episcopal  Church  in  Massachusetts,  in  1704. 
To  the  memory  of  his  distinguished  ancestor,  our 
late  friend  erected  a mural  tablet  in  King’s  Chapel, 
in  1853. 

Mr.  Newton’s  father  was  for  fifty-one  years,  the 
Collector  of  the  port  of  Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  for  half 
a century  was  a member  of  the  Supreme  Council  of 
the  Province.  His  son,  Edward,  enjoyed  the  advan- 
tages of  school  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and 
in  consequence  of  the  destitute  circumstances  in 


3 


18 


which  his  mother  and  her  children  were  left,  he 
was  compelled,  at  once,  to  depend  upon  his  own 
exertions  for  a support.  That  spirit  of  indomitable 
energy  and  enterprise  for  which  he  became  distin- 
guished, and  which  contributed  so  largely  to  his 
success  in  life,  was  early  developed.  When  he  was 
seventeen  years  old,  he  borrowed  £200  and  char- 
tered a small  fishing  schooner  for  a trading  voyage, 
along  the  coast.  This  speculation  resulted  in  a 
serious  loss.  He  then  went  to  Liverpool,  in  Nova 
Scotia,  and  was  employed  by  a Mr.  I)’ Wolf,  as  a 
clerk  in  his  store.  This  gentleman  was  a passenger 
with  him,  on  board  the  packet,  on  a previous  voyage, 
and  noticing  the  lad  dressed  in  a “ check  shirty"'  and 
regarding  this  as  an  evidence  of  humility  and 
energy,  he  was  strongly  prepossessed  in  his  favor, 
and  made  a contract  with  him  to  attend  his  store. 

A change  in  his  employer’s  business  affairs,  the 
next  year,  left  him  without  employment,  and  he 
directed  his  steps  to  the  United  States,  whither  his 
mother  and  her  large  family  of  children  had 
removed  the  previous  year.  In  June,  1804,  he 
landed  at  Portland,  and  proceeding  to  Boston,  he 
obtained  a situation  in  the  mercantile  house  of 
Stephen  Higginson  & Co.,  who  were  largely  engaged 
in  the  East  India  trade.  After  continuing  with 
them  for  a year,  he  embarked  in  January,  1805,  in 


19 


one  of  their  vessels  for  India,  in  the  capacity  of 
assistant  to  the  Captain,  who  was  supercargo.  He 
landed  at  Madras,  and  though  not  twenty  years  old, 
was  left  alone  there,  entrusted  with  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  to  execute  the  business  which  had  been 
committed  to  him,  without  any  friend  or  counsellor 
to  direct  him.  Having  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
the  purpose  for  which  he  was  sent  out,  he  remained 
for  several  months  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to 
return  home.  He  improved  this  interval  in  obtain- 
ing information  relative  to  the  India  trade,  and  in 
cultivating  an  extensive  acquaintance  among  the 
European  residents,  which  was  subsequently  of 
great  advantage  to  him.  It  was  during  this  period 
of  business  leisure  that  he  first  cultivated  a taste  for 
reading,  which  up  to  that  time,  he  had  very  much 
. neglected.  A friend  advised  him  to  make  it  a rule, 
not  to  sleep  until  he  had  read  at  least  two  hundred 
pages,  8 VO.  of  some  useful  work.  This  he  did,  and 
continued  the  practice  for  many  years  afterwards. 
On  his  voyage  home,  in  1806,  he  landed  at  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  where  he  remained  until  the  follow- 
ing year,  when  he  returned  to  the  United  States. 
His  earnings  during  his  absence,  were  nearly  all 
consumed  in  the  support  of  his  mother  and  her 
family,  so  that  when  he  returned  to  Boston,  he  was 
nearly  as  poor  as  when  he  left  home,  yet  rich  in  the 


20 


honorable  reflection  that  he  had  been  able  to  con- 
tribute to  his  mother’s  support. 

In  1808,  he  again  left  home,  to  prosecute  an 
enterprise  which  he  had  long  entertained,  and  by 
the  aid  of  friends,  was  now  enabled  to  carry  out. 
For  this  purpose  he  sailed  for  England.  There  he 
chartered  a ship  for  India.  His  business  boldness 
is  here  illustrated  by  the  fact,  that  he  had  borrowed 
fifteen  thousand  dollars,  which  was  his  entire  invest- 
ment, and  yet  he  had  contracted  to  pay  freight  out 
and  home,  amounting  to  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
At  this  time  he  was  but  twenty- three  years  of  age. 
This  voyage  was  a great  commercial  success,  and 
laid  the  foundation  of  his  subsequent  fortune.  On 
his  arrival  at  New  York,  he  disposed  of  his  cargo, 
with  the  exception  of  one  article,  to  sell  which 
he  bought  a schooner  and  went  in  her  to  St.  ‘ 
Domingo.  On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  after 
paying  all  his  indebtedness,  he  found  himself  worth 
fifteen  thousand  dollars.  All  this  was  accomplished 
before  he  was  24  years  old. 

He  had  been  religiously  educated  in  the  Church 
of  England,  but  had  made  no  profession  of  his  faith. 
When  in  Madras  on  his  first  voyage,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  attending  very  regularly,  the  Military 
Chapel  on  Sunday,  while  the  great  body  of  his 
acquaintances,  among  the  civilians,  rarely  ever 
entered  a place  of  worship. 


21 


On  his  second  voyage,  to  and  from  India,  he 
scrupulously  observed  the  Sabbath  Day,  to  keep  it 
holy.  He  read  every  Sunday,  regularly,  by  himself, 
and  occasionally  to  the  Captain,  "when  he  would 
permit  it,  the  full  Morning  and  Evening  Service  of 
the  Church,  together  with  several  chapters  of  the 
Bible.  Nor  did  he  allow  himself  to  read  any  other 
than  religious  books  on  that  Holy  Day  ; a rule 
which  I have  good  reason  to  believe,  he  conscien- 
tiously observed  all  his  life. 

Such  a course  of  religious  practice  on  the  part  of 
a young  man  who  did  not  pretend  to  be  a professor 
of  religion,  is  indeed  extraordinary,  and  shows  how 
successful  had  been  his  training  in  the  church,  while 
it  developed  that  deep  sub-stratum  of  principle,  on 
which  he  was  erecting  the  fabric  of  a noble  charac- 
ter, which  should  show  him  to  be  “ <2  man  of  GoclT 

In  February,  1812,  Mr.  Newton  sailed  again  for 
India,  as  supercargo.  On  the  return  passage  from 
Madras,  the  ship  was  captured,  near  the  island  of 
St.  Helena,  by  an  English  privateer,  who  gave  them 
the  first  intelligence  of  the  war  between  the  United 
States  and  England.  He  was  carried  to  Ashburton, 
whence  he  soon  embarked  on  board  a cartel,  and 
arrived  in  Newport  in  May,  1815. 

This  year,  he  entered  into  copartnership  with  two 
others,  for  the  transaction  of  commission  business 


22 


in  Boston,  which  was  so  far  unsuccessful,  as  to 
result  in  the  loss  of  nearly  all  the  property  which 
he  had  accumulated. 

In  the  autumn  of  1816,  he  left  the  United  States 
for  Calcutta,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until 
the  year  1825.  During  this  period,  he  visited  this 
country  once.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  India,  he 
became  a partner  in  the  most  important  agency 
house  at  that  time  in  that  country.  He  conducted 
the  correspondence  of  the  company  This  respon- 
sible position  brought  him  into  the  best  society  of 
Calcutta.  Three  of  the  partners  of  this  firm  sub- 
sequently became,  after  their  return  to  England, 
members  of  the  English  Parliament.  Here,  Mr. 
Newton’s  commercial  success  secured  a fortune, 
which  enabled  him  to  retire  from  business  in 
1825,  affording  him  ample  means  of  support, 
enabling  him,  at  the  same  time,  to  enjoy  the 
luxury  of  a large  philanthrophy. 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  his  residence  in 
India,  and  on  which  he  himself  delighted  to  dwell 
with  profound  gratitude  to  God,  was  his  intimate 
relations  with  the  great  and  good  men  whom  he 
met  in  Calcutta  — the  heroic  pioneers  of  the  Gospel 
in  that  benighted  country  — the  advance  guard  of 
that  noble  army  of  missionaries,  who  went  forth 
from  England  and  America  to  the  conquest  of  this 
great  strong  hold  of  idolatry. 


23 


Up  to  this  time,  Mr.  Newton  had  not  been  a 
communicant.  Strictly  moral,  he  was,  in  many 
particulars,  strictly  religious.  Associated  with  “ all 
sorts  and  conditions  of  men,”  many  of  them  much 
older  than  himself,  far  away  from  the  restraints 
of  home,  and  the  influences  of  Christian  institu- 
tions, and  the  elevating  and  restraining  power  of 
Christian  civilization,  he  nevertheless  so  adhered 
to  the  principles  which  pious  parents  had  planted 
in  his  heart,  that  he  manfully  withstood  the 
temptations  of  ungodly  companions,  and  held  fast 
to  his  integrity  as  a child  of  the  church.  This 
was  particularly  manifested  in  his  strict  observ- 
ance of  the  Sabbath,  both  at  sea  and  on  the  land. 
He  has  been  heard  to  say  that  he  remembered  but 
one  instance  wherein  he  had  been  guilty  of  dese- 
crating the  Lord’s  Day,  and  this  had  caused  him 
grief  all  his  life  long,  whenever  he  had  thought 
of  it.  This  is  surely  a remarkable  fact,  and  worthy 
of  all  praise,  when  we  consider  the  circumstances  in 
which  he  was  placed  as  a young  man,  surrounded 
by  his  seniors,  making  long  voyages,  residing  in 
heathen  lands,  thrown  mostly  into  the  society  of 
irreligious  men,  all  of  them  worldly,  many  of  them 
scoffers,  and  some  of  them  vicious. 

In  Calcutta  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Lev. 
Mr.  Thomason,  a clergyman  of  the  Church  of 


24 


England.  It  was  through  the  influence  of  this 
faithful  minister  of  Christ,  that  he  was  led  to  devote 
himself  to  the  service  of  God,  in  an  open  profes- 
sion of  his  faith  in  the  Saviour.  Mr.  Newton  ever 
referred  to  him  as  his  “father  in  God.”  Mr. 
Thomason  was  to  his  young  parishoner  a Arm  friend 
and  faithful  pastor ; he  was  often  at  his  house,  and 
the  Christian  friendship  thus  ripened  into  fraternal 
intimacy,  on  heathen  shores,  was  as  enduring  as 
life. 

Here,  too,  he  became  acquainted  with  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Corrie,  then  chaplain  and  arch-deacon,  and 
who  afterwards  became  the  bishop  of  Madras.  In 
the  memoirs  of  bishop  Corrie,  the  bishop  thus 
speaks  of  Mr.  Newton,  in  a letter  to  his  brother- 
in-law : “Mr.  Newton,  you  will  know,  is  now  the 
financial  secretary  of  our  church  missionary  society. 
He,  above  all  our  committee,  has  been  with  me 
like-minded,  entering  with  all  his  spirit  into  our 
concerns,  and  looking  our  difficulties  in  the  face.” 

But  before  this  period  he  had  been  deeply  inter- 
ested and  actively  engaged  in  the  missionary  work  ; 
so  that  on  the  arrival  of  bishop  Heber,  Mr.  Newton 
was  the  first  person  whom  he  summoned  to  explain 
to  him  the  affairs  of  the  Society.  And  ever  after 
that  he  enjoyed  the  blessed  privilege  of  weekly 
intercourse,  in  the  committee  with  this  noble  mis- 


25 


sionary  bishop  — whose  saintly  life  is  a precious 
legacy  to  the  church. 

Mr.  Newton  derived  not  only  much  enjoyment, 
but  incalculable  benefit  from  his  association  with 
these  men  of  God  and  missionaries  of  the  Cross. 
In  his  later  life  it  was  the  delight  of  his  heart  to 
call  to  mind  the  memory  of  these  ministers.  He 
was  accustomed  to  entertain  his  family  and  friends 
while  he  refreshed  his  own  recollections  by  naming 
the  texts  from  which  they  preached,  the  hymns 
they  sung,  and  reciting  numberless  little  traits  and 
anecdotes,  illustrative  of  the  characters  and  dispo- 
sition of  each. 

These  are  by  no  means  all  whom  he  saw  and 
loved  among  the  missionaries  in  that  far-off  field. 
Other  clergymen,  whose  society  he  enjoyed  and 
whose  labors  he  appreciated,  claimed  and  received 
a large  share  of  his  Christian  regard,  and  with 
whom  he  was  on  intimate  terms.  Among  these 
were  Parker,  and  Goode,  and  others.  Besides 
these,  there  were  not  a few  pious  laymen  whom  he 
found  to  be  kindred  spirits.  With  them  he  united 
in  helping  on  the  great  and  glorious  work  of  Chris- 
tian missions  in  a heathen  land. 

Nor  were  his  Christian  sympathies  shut  up  to 
the  missions  and  missionaries  of  his  own  church. 
While  he  was  a resident  of  India,  missionaries 
4 


26 


were  sent  out  from  America  by  the  American  Board. 
On  their  arrival  in  Calcutta  they  were  welcomed 
as  inmates  of  his  house,  and  received  from  him 
whatever  it  was  in  his  power  to  bestow,  for  the 
promotion  of  their  comfort.  He  rendered  them 
substantial  service  in  the  management  of  their 
financial  affairs.  This  act  of  Christian  liberality 
and  kindness  is  noticed  in  the  printed  history  of 
their  missions,  wherein  it  is  stated  that  at  one  time 
Mr.  Newton  paid  nearly  the  whole  of  the  expense 
of  theh  missions  in  the  East  Indias,  for  which  he 
was  to  draw  bills  on  the  Board,  payable  in  London ; 
thus  saving  to  the  Board  the  necessity  of  shipping 
dollars  to  India,  and  of  providing  funds  in  advance, 
and  avoiding  the  annual  loss  of  interest  on  many 
thousand  dollars. 

Another  reference  is  made  in  this  history  of  the 
missions  of  the  American  Board,  to  the  aid  which 
they  received  from  him.  The  following  is  an 
extract : “At  the  station  at  Bombay,  the  want  of 
a house  of  worship  and  school  combined,  had  long 
been  seriously  felt.  At  that  time  (1824)  there  was 
no  Protestant  house  of  worship  for  natives  of  Asia 
in  the  whole  region  extending  from  the  extreme 
point  on  the  south,  to  the  Bussian  dominions  on 
the  north ; and  from  the  vicinity  of  Calcutta  on  the 
east,  to  the  Mediteranean  on  the  west.  Towards 


the  erection  of  this  chapel,  about  four  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  were  contributed  in  Bombay,  and  in 
Calcutta,  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  the  greater 
part  of  which  was  given  by  Mr.  E.  A.  Newton, 
and  the  remainder  obtained  by  his  exertions.” 

An  illustration  of  the  genuineness  of  his  Chris- 
tian charities,  is  found  in  the  fact  that  when  he 
read  this  passage  in  the  history  of  the  American 
Board,  he  was  much  surprised,  having  utterly 
forgotten  the  circumstances  which  were  thus 
brought  to  his  mind,  and  remarked  that  “ he  was 
very  thankful  that  he  had  done  it.” 

Mr.  Newton,  while  in  India,  also  took  a lively 
interest  in  the  Baptist  Mission,  and  every  way  in  his 
power,  aided  and  cheered  their  missionaries  in  their 
work.  Mrs.  Judson  was  several  times  a guest  in 
his  family. 

A distinguished  minister  of  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion, thus  speaks  of  Mr.  Newton’s  relations  to  the 
missions  of  that  Society:  “For  many  years,  he 
performed  for  them  various  acts  of  service,  and  he 
frequently  contributed  to  their  expenses,  and  his 
large  heart  rejoiced  in  their  success,  while  his  per- 
sonal affection  was  a constant  support  in  their  toils 
and  trials.  When  I visited  Serampore  in  1836,  both 
the  Marshmans,  father  and  son,  spoke  of  him  with 
the  kindest  remembrance.” 


28 


About  two  years  ago,  Mr.  Newton  delivered  an 
elaborate  address  on  “ the  Serampore  Mission  and 
the  Missionaries,”  which  has  been  published ; a 
production  highly  creditable  to  its  author ; in  which 
the  history  of  this  mission,  is  clearly  related,  and 
the  indications  of  Providence  distinctly  pointed  out. 

But  Mr.  Newton’s  chief  interest  while  in  India, 
was  in  connection  with  the  missions  established  and 
carried  on  by  the  Church  of  England. 

On  the  occasion  of  his  leaving  India,  in  1825,  the 
Calcutta  Missionary  Committee,  of  which  he  had 
been  so  long  an  efficient  member  and  officer,  passed 
the  following  resolutions : 

“ Resolved,  That,  the  Committee  cannot  contem- 
plate Mr.  Newton’s  resignation  of  his  charge,  with- 
out deeply  feeling  the  loss  which  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society  will  sustain  by  his  departure,  and 
they  deem  it  right,  to  record  the  expression  of  their 
warmest  thanks  for  the  cordial  interest  he  has 
always  envinced  in  their  labors,  and  the  attention 
with  which  he  has  watched  over  their  concerns. 
They  have  invariably  found  in  him  a judicious  coun- 
sellor, and  active  friend,  and  pray  that  he  may  be 
preserved  in  safety  over  the  deep,  and  be  long 
spared  to  promote  the  missionary  cause,  in  his  own 
country,  with  the  same  zeal  and  activity,  for  which 
he  has  been  so  distinguished  in  India.” 


29 


On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  he  at  once 
manifested  that  zealous  interest  in  the  cause  of  send- 
ing the  Gospel  to  the  heathen,  which  was  invoked 
in  the  resolutions  of  the  Committee. 

He  was  a member  of  the  first  General  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church ; and 
on  the  dissolution  of  that  Society,  in  consequence  of 
the  organization  of  the  General  Board  of  Missions, 
he  became  a life  member  of  that  Board,  and  up  to 
the  day  of  his  death,  was  devoted  to  its  interests. 
He  was  a regular  attendant  upon  its  meetings,  took 
a prominent  part  in  its  proceedings,  and  contributed 
regularly  and  liberally  to  its  treasury. 

On  his  return  in  1825,  he  purchased  a place  in 
Pittsfield,  which  at  that  time  was  a small  village. 
The  nearest  Episcopal  Church  was  that  of  Trinity 
Church,  Lenox.  In  the  year  1828,  Mr.  Newton 
represented  that  parish  in  the  Diocesan  Convention. 
From  that  time,  until  his  decease,  a period  of  thirty- 
four  years,  he  has,  I believe,  been  elected  annually, 
a delegate  to  the  Convention,  and  has  rarely  failed 
to  be  present,  and  to  take  an  active  and  promi- 
nent part  in  its  proceedings. 

Soon  after  he  came  to  Pittsfield,  he  inaugurated 
measures  for  securing  the  services  of  the  church 
to  which  he  was  so  strongly  and  intelligently 
attached.  By  his  exertions,  a church  edifice  was 


30 


erected,  almost  the  entire  cost  of  which  was  paid 
by  himself.  Towards  the  church  and  parsonage 
he  contributed  upwards  of  twenty  thousand  dollars, 
while  some  hundreds,  only,  were  given  by  other 
individuals. 

For  more  than  twenty  years,  all  the  incidental 
expenses  of  the  parish  were  assumed  by  him, 
including  deficiency  of  salary  — a measure  of  Chris- 
tian liberality,  which  I will  venture  to  affirm,  has 
few  parallels  in  the  history  of  the  Church  in  this 
country. 

In  1828  Mr.  Newton  was  elected  a Deputy  to  the 
General  Convention.  For  thirty-four  years  in  suc- 
cession did  he  represent  the  diocese  of  Massachu- 
setts in  the  great  ecclesiastical  council  of  the 
church.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  that 
august  body,  and  no  layman  of  that  convention 
commanded  profounder  respect.  His  age,  his  ex- 
perience, his  piety,  ability,  gave  him  an  influence 
in  that  body  which  was  as  complimentary  to  Massa- 
chusetts as  it  was  flattering  to  himself.  He  was 
always  appointed  upon  important  committees.  He 
did  not  often  address  the  house,  but  when  he  spoke 
he  commanded  the  most  respectful  attention,  by  his 
Stirling  good  sense,  wise  and  practical  views,  clearly, 
concisely  and  forcibly  expressed.  Being  a thor- 
oughly trained  business  man,  with  a large  share  of 


31 


executive  talent,  he  had  a way  of  showing  the 
practical  bearing  of  questions  which  was  often 
more  profitable  than  the  carefully  elaborated  argu- 
ments of  more  scholarly  men. 

His  presence  will  be  much  missed  at  the  coming 
convention,  by  those  who  have  been  long  accus- 
tomed to  look  upon  the  commanding  figure  of  his 
familiar  form,  in  this  general  synod  of  our  church. 

He  took  a very  deep  interest  in  our  diocesan 
conventions,  from  which  he  was  rarely  absent.  He 
was  ever  ready  with  his  counsel  and  his  money  to 
promote  the  interests  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Massachusetts.  He  initiated  many  movements  in 
the  convention  with  the  view  to  the  promotion  of 
the  prosperity  of  that  communion,  which  he  so 
ardently  loved.  His  influence  in  this  body  was 
always  strong,  and  at  times  almost  commanding. 
Few  men  could  successfully  cope  with  him  in  debate 
upon  questions  not  purely  ecclesiastical.  There 
was  in  his  manner  an  air  of  manly  independence, 
blended  with  the  charming  amenity  of  Christian 
courtesy,  which  gave  him  great  advantage  in  the 
conduct  of  a discussion. 

He  was  “ a man  of  God,”  and  so  not  only  loved 
the  Church  of  God,  but  loved  the  word  of  God. 
Perhaps  his  long  residence  abroad  in  the  heart  of 
heathendom,  in  a land  covered  with  pagan  dark- 


32 


ness,  and  whose  degraded  people  were  sitting  in 
the  shadow  of  death,  had  served  to  increase  his 
appreciation  of  the  infinite  value  of  that  inspired 
word,  which  is  ‘‘  the  light  of  the  world.”  Hence, 
for  many  years  he  has  taken  a lively  interest  in 
measures  foi  promoting  the  circulation  of  the  Bible 
at  home  and  abroad.  He  has  always  been  a sub- 
scriber to  the  American  Bible  Society.  He  was  a 
life-member  of  this  institution,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  was  one  of  its  vice  presidents.  For  many 
years  he  was  the  president  of  the  Berkshire  County 
Auxiliary  Society,  which  was  reorganized  chiefiy 
at  his  suggestion  and  through  his  zealous  efforts. 
His  last  visit  to  New  York  was  to  attend  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  parent  society. 

As  “ a man  of  God  ” he  had  not  only  a profound 
regard  for  the  ministry  of  God,  but  felt  the  impor- 
tance of  securing  for  them  the  means  of  a thorough 
education.  For  many  years  he  took  a deep  interest 
in  the  General  Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.  In 
that  school  of  the  prophets  he  endowed  the 
“ Thomason  Scholarship,”  purchased  a small  li- 
brary, and  furnished  a room.  In  this  endowment 
he  expended  about  three  thousand  dollars ; and  in 
emergencies  he  has  been  accustomed  to  aid  the 
institution  with  contributions.  For  many  years  he 
was  one  of  its  most  active  lay  trustees.  A few 


33 


years  since,  having  become  dissatisfied  with  the 
administration  of  its  affairs,  he  declined  acting  as 
a trustee,  and  withdrew  from  all  connection  with 
the  institution. 

Mr.  Newton  maintained  a reputation  for  personal 
piety  which  commanded  the  respect  of  all  classes 
in  the  community.  His  unblemished  moral  char- 
acter, his  many  Christian  virtues,  his  integrity  as  a 
man  of  business,  his  upright  and  straight-forward 
course  in  all  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow  men, 
secured  for  him  that  measure  of  universal  regard, 
which  is  accorded,  even  by  an  unbelieving  world,  to 
him,  and  to  him  alone,  who  shows  by  his  daily  life 
and  conversation,  that  he  is  “ a man  of  God"'' 

From  his  early  manhood,  he  seems  to  have  had 
clear  and  abiding  views  of  a Divine  Providence. 
His  successes  in  life,  and  his  reverses  too,  he  looked 
upon,  as  wisely  ordered  by  “ Him  who  doeth  all 
things  well ; ” and  as  designed  for  his  highest  benefit. 
To  God  he  ever  gave  all  the  glory,  for  the  good 
which  he  so  largely  shared  in  life. 

As  a churchman^  he  would  be  ranked  according  to 
the  stand-point  of  those  who  should  judge  him. 
By  some,  he  would  be  regarded  as  holding  exclusive 
views ; while,  by  others,  he  would  be  considered  as 
entertaining  very  moderate  opinions  in  ecclesiastical 
matters. 


5 


34 


He  was  an  Episcopalian  from  principle.  He 
loved  the  church.  He  delighted  in  her  ordinances. 
He  believed  in  the  apostolic  character  and  authority 
of  her  ministry.  Her  consecrated  courts  were  his 
hallowed  home.  Her  Liturgy  was  to  him,  a trea- 
sure above  all  price,  which  he  held  with  a firmness 
that  no  poAver  of  earth  could  impair.  He  labored 
for  her  prosperity.  He  Avas  particularly  anxious  to 
extend  her  communion  in  this  CommoiiAvealth, 
and  often  expressed  the  regret,  that  more  Avas  not 
done  to  promote  the  increase  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  Boston. 

He  Avas  thoroughly  evangelical  in  his  doctrinal 
vieAvs,  and  as  thoroughly  loyal  in  his  adherence  to 
church  institutions. 

He  Avas  in  no  sense,  a party  man,  and  no  person 
could  eA’er  count  upon  his  vote,  in  either  the  Gen- 
eral or  in  the  Diocesan  Convention,  by  virtue  of 
any  alliance,  AAdth  any  party  in  the  church.  In 
this  regard,  he  maintained  an  independence  of  opin- 
ion and  action,  Avhich  at  times  rendered  him 
singularly  prominent.  Where  the  church  had  not 
legislated,  he  felt  himself  at  liberty  to  act,  in  rela- 
tion to  associations  for  charitable  and  religious 
purposes,  as  he  thought  best ; and  that  liberty 
he  exercised  regardless  of  the  vieAvs  or  Avishes  of 
his  brethren. 


35 


During  a residence  of  thirty-seven  years  in  Pitts- 
field he  commanded  the  universal  respect  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  They  who  knew  him  best,  honored 
him  most,  and  this  is  surely  high  praise.  Though 
living  nominally  a retired  life,  yet  he  was  active  in 
promoting  the  educational,  religious,  and  benevolent 
interests  of  the  town.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
Trustee  of  William’s  College,  and  for  a long  period. 
President  of  the  Agricultural  Bank  of  Pittsfield. 

He  did  not  allow  his  larger  gifts  to  dry  up  the 
fountain  of  lesser  charities.  As  ‘‘  a man  of  God,” 
he  was  mindful  of  God’s  poor.  He  knew  that  such 
were  always  to  be  found  in  a Christian  community, 
for  the  good  of  Christians.  One  of  the  noblest 
traits  in  his  character,  was  the  munificent  flow  of 
his  private  charities.  His  benevolence,  was  of  that 
Christian  kind  which  seems  to  cost  no  sacrifice  to 
exercise  ; a charity  which  was  not  so  much  the 
promptings  of  the  conscience  as  the  impulse  of  the 
heart.  To  do  good  appeared  to  be  the  great  object 
of  his  life.  It  is  remarked  of  him  by  one  who 
knew  him  long  and  most  intimately  : “In  twenty- 
five  years,  I have  not  known  a day,  in  which  some 
project,  or  purpose,  for  the  temporal  or  spiritual 
good  of  others,  has  not  been  his  leading  occupa- 
tion.” The  “ memory  ” of  a man,  who  thus  uses 
what  God  gives,  is,  and  ever  must  be,  “ blessed'' 


36 


Mr.  Newton  declined  accepting  political  position 
from  his  friends.  At  one  time,  he  consented  to 
serve  as  a member  of  the  Executive  Council  of  the 
State,  which  office  he  tilled  with  general  acceptance. 
He  was  educated  a Federalist  of  the  old  school, 
with  some  distrust  of  our  republican  form  of  gov- 
ernment. He  had  naturally,  a partial  leaning  to  the 
English  nation  and  institutions.  But  for  the  last 
thirty  years  his  political  opinions  have  been  grad- 
ually changing,  in  favor  of  our  own  form  of  govern- 
ment. This  change  was  wrought,  mainly,  by 
witnessing  the  successful  working  and  grand  results 
of  free  institutions. 

He  had  large  and  glowing  anticipations  of  what 
this  country  was  destined  to  be  and  do,  especially  in 
promoting  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  work  of  evan- 
gelizing the  world,  by  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  while  it  afforded  an  asylum, 
with  all  the  home  blessings  of  political  freedom,  to 
the  oppressed  and  destitute,  of  the  less  favored 
nations  of  the  earth. 

In  the  evening  of  his  life,  he  saw  the  dark  cloud 
gather  upon  the  horizon  of  the  great  Bepublic. 
But  that  cloud,  black  as  it  was,  did  not  overshadow 
these  views  and  hopes.  The  terrific  thunder  that 
fell  upon  his  feeble  ear  did  not  shake  his  confidence 
in  the  perpetuity  and  mission  of  the  country  of 


37 


his  adoption.  During  his  last  sickness,  he  had 
the  news  from  the  army  read  to  him,  and  though  his 
feelings  rose  or  fell,  in  his  weak  state,  according  to 
the  character  of  each  day’s  intelligence,  yet  he 
always  expressed  confidence  in  the  ultimate  triumph 
of  the  government,  over  those  who  were  madly 
striving  to  destroy  the  Union  and  the  Constitution, 
by  the  violence  of  a wicked  rebellion.  He  looked 
upon  the  cause  of  the  government  as  the  cause  of 
God,  and  under  his  special  guidance,  he  believed 
the  Eepublic  would  come  out  of  the  bloody  strug- 
gle, chastened,  but  triumphant. 

His  patriotism  was  enthusiastic  and  intense . 
Such  were  the  emotional  qualities  of  his  character 
that  it  could  not  be  otherwise.  As  “a  man  of 
God,”  he  believed  civil  government  to  be  ordained 
of  God,  and  he  therefore  honored  and  sustained 
that  form  of  it  under  which  Providence  had  placed 
him,  and  so  lived  and  died,  as  all  men  should,  a 
Christian  patriot. 

In  regard  to  his  social  character,  it  may  be  said 
that  he  was  an  admirable  specimen  of  a Christian 
gentleman  — honorable  and  affable,  dignified  and 
courteous ; combining  in  his  character  and  exhib- 
iting in  his  intercourse  those  attributes  which  are 
developed  by  goodness  of  heart,  — a mind  wisely 
and  well  stored  with  useful  knowledge,  a catholic 
spirit,  a cultivated  taste,  and  refined  manners. 


38 


His  business  sagacity,  large  intelligence  and  val- 
uable acquirements,  in  combination  with  his  lively 
conversational  powers,  gave  him  a high  social 
position.  While  he  never  compromised  his  claims 
as  a well  bred  gentleman,  he  was  resolute  and 
determined  in  maintaining  what  he  regarded  as 
religiously  just  and  proper.  All  who  have  shared 
the  hospitality  of  his  house,  can  bear  testimony  to 
that  noble  liberality  which  made  his  guests  feel 
entirely  at  home,  — while  surrounded  by  the  lux- 
uries of  wealth,  — whose  simplicity  partook  largely 
of  that  elegance  which  marked  the  princely  afflu- 
ence of  a former  age. 

On  his  domestic  character  I need  not  enlarge. 
I would  not  violate  the  sanctity  of  the  hallowed 
hearth-stone,  by  attempting  to  portray  to  the  public 
view,  what  is  there  enshrined  in  holy  memory. 

He  was  the  light  and  joy  of  his  household.  It 
was  here,  more  than  anywhere,  that  his  real  char- 
acter was  understood  and  appreciated.  Here  too, 
and  for  this  reason,  he  was  most  devotedly  loved. 
His  family  all  looked  up  to  him,  with  something 
more  than  the  feeling  of  affection.  To  his  opinion 
they  were  wont  to  defer  with  an  unquestioning 
confidence.  His  counsel  was  to  them  almost  orac- 
ular, — and  on  the  decisions  of  his  judgment  they 
cheerfully  rested.  His  smiling  countenance  and 


39 


cheering  salutations  imparted  a joyous  sunlight  to 
that  circle,  of  which  he  was  the  centre. 

In  his  death,  a man  of  rare  ability  and  of 
unique  character  has  passed  away  from  earth. 
His  family  have  been  bereaved  of  their  best 
beloved  friend.  The  rich  have  lost  one  who  did 
honor  to  their  class ; the  poor,  a liberal  bene- 
factor. The  community  has  lost  one,  whose  emi- 
nent worth,  public  spirit,  warm  and  wide  philan- 
thropy, and  wise  counsels,  rendered  him  an  object 
of  veneration  to  all  who  knew  him.  Our  com- 
munion has  lost  a loyal  layman ; the  cause  of 
missions,  a munificent  friend.  In  the  death  of 
Edward  A.  Newton,  the  Church  militant  lost,  and 
the  Church  triumphant  gained,  “ a man  of  God.” 

It  is  well  to  pause  at  the  door  of  such  a man’s 
tomb,  before  it  be  closed  forever,  and  listen  for  a 
moment  to  the  instructive  lesson  which  it  teaches. 

We  are  here  admonished  of  the  end  of  earth. 
We  are  reminded  of  the  necessity  of  so  living,  as  to 
make  that  end  a triumph  of  life.  Here  we  may 
discover  what  constitutes  real  greatness  and  true 
success  in  the  world. 

In  the  early  history  of  our  departed  friend,  the 
young  have  a brilliant  model,  worthy  their  study  : — 
in  his  religious  integrity,  long  before  he  professed 
to  be  a Christian ; in  his  energy,  industry,  and  enter- 


40 


prise,  rewarded  by  the  confidence  of  his  employers 
and  the  successes  of  his  responsible  undertakings. 
Here  they  may  see  how  much,  under  God,  a man’s 
success  depends  upon  himself ; how  a young  man 
may  make  his  mark  in  the  world,  without  adventi- 
tious aids,  solely  by  his  own  well  directed  exertions. 

The  man  of  business  may  here  learn  how  much 
he  may  adorn  and  dignify  his  commercial  calling,  by 
becoming  “ a man  of  God ; ” that  religious  principle 
and  practice  do  not  interfere  with,  but  essentially 
promote  the  permanent  prosperity  of  business  pur- 
suits. They  may  moreover  read  in  the  light  of  his 
life,  a lesson  which  at  this  day  is  of  much  import- 
ance. Mr.  Newton  made  his  money  mostly  in  ten 
years.  He  regarded  his  gains,  as  they  indeed  were, 
an  ample  fortune.  He  was  in  the  prime  of  life,  a 
little  more  than  forty  years  old,  when  he  withdrew 
from  active  business,  and  wisely  investing  his  capi- 
tal, devoted  his  life  to  the  cultivation  of  his  mind, 
the  comfort  of  his  family,  the  promotion  of  religion, 
and  the  welfare  of  his  fellowmen.  He  resisted  all 
temptation  to  become  a millionaire  ; he  closed  his 
eyes  to  the  brilliant  bait  which  has  seduced  so  many, 
who  have  retired  on  a handsome  competency,  to  risk 
the  whole,  for  the  sake  of  “ a little  more,”  and  who 
have  lost  what  they  risked,  and  have  been  compelled 
when  their  sun  was  past  its  meridian,  to  begin  life 


41 


anew,  and  to  be  a slave,  either  to  business  or  to 
poverty,  during  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Mr. 
Newton  was  willing  that  others  should  strive  to 
amass  millions  by  the  accumulated  earnings  of 
hard  labor,  the  savings  of  a mean  parsimony,  and 
the  drudgeries  of  a slavish  life.  He  was  content 
with  a fortune  whose  income  enabled  him  to  live  in 
a style  becoming  his  station ; maintaining  a generous 
and  elegant  hospitality  ; sustaining  with  a liberal 
hand  the  institutions  of  religion;  contributing  largely 
to  charitable  enterprises  ; feeding  the  poor,  at  his 
own  door ; and  thereby  passing  his  days  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  luxury  of  doing  good.  May  not 
the  merchants  of  our  large  cities,  learn  wisdom 
from  his  wise  and  worthy  example  1 

As  Christians  and  as  churchmen,  we  may  behold 
in  his  life,  how  much  “ a man  of  God  ” may  do,  by 
his  influence,  his  efforts  and  his  contributions,  in 
furthering  the  great  interests  of  the  Church,  at  home 
and  abroad.  Let  us  then,  while  we  may,  consecrate 
our  time,  our  talents,  and  our  substance,  to  the  great 
work  of  extending  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom,  so  that 
when  life  and  labors  are  ended,  we  may,  like  him 
whose  death  we  now  commemorate,  leave  to  the 
world  the  richest  legacy  the  world  can  have  : the 
hallowed  memory  of  “ a man  of  God.” 


6 


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ll^-’ 


The  following  remarks  were  delivered  by  the  Hon.  Robert 
C.  Winthrop,  in  the  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  United  States,  held  at  New  York,  October, 
1862,  on  moving  a Resolution  on  the  death  of  the  Hon. 
Edward  A.  Newton: 

I hardly  know,  Mr.  President,  how  far  it  has  been 
customary  on  previous  occasions,  to  take  formal 
notice  of  those,  if  any  there  were,  who,  having  been 
elected  delegates  to  this  body,  have  died  before  the 
day  of  meeting  had  arrived.  But  I am  sure  that  I 
shall  be  pardoned  for  saying  a very  few  words,  in 
compliance  with  the  request  of  my  colleagues  from 
the  Diocese  of  Massachusetts,  in  regard  to  one  of 
our  original  number,  whose  long  accustomed  pres- 
ence at  these  Conventions  cannot  fail  to  be  missed 
by  us  all. 

I cannot  forget,  indeed,  that  it  was  my  good  for- 
tune, when  I heretofore  had  the  honor  of  a seat  in 
this  House,  to  be  associated  with  at  least  two  dele- 
gates from  Massachusetts,  who  have  recently  passed 
away,  and  whose  services  to  the  Church  were  not 
less  conspicuous  than  the  purity  of  their  lives  and 
the  eminence  of  their  position  and  characters.  I 
need  hardly  say  that  I refer  to  the  Hon.  William 


44 


Appleton,  of  Boston,  and  the  Hon.  Edward  A. 
Newton,  of  Pittsfield.  Both  of  them  were  present 
with  us  here  nine  years  ago,  when  it  was  our  privi- 
lege to  participate  in  those  memorable  and  most 
impressive  opening  services  of  that  Convention,  not 
only  with  the  Bepresentatives  of  all  the  States  and 
Dioceses  of  our  beloved  Union,  but  with  a distin- 
guished delegation  from  the  Church  of  Old  England, 
the  honored  mother  of  us  all.  Both  of  them  have 
been  permitted  to  take  part  in  the  deliberations  of 
still  more  recent  Conventions,  in  which  the  Churches 
of  our  whole  land  have  been  happily  and  harmo- 
niously represented.  We  may  hardly  regret,  on 
their  own  account,  certainly,  that  neither  of  them  has 
survived  to  meet  with  us  to-day,  when  the  afilicting 
condition  of  our  country  is  so  forcibly  and  painfully 
recalled  to  us  by  so  many  vacant  seats  in  our  assem- 
bly, and  when  the  unity  of  the  American  Episcopal 
Church,  for  the  first  time  in  its  history,  has  been 
temporarily,  we  trust,  but  most  unhappily  disturbed. 
To  deplore  the  departure  of  such  men,  under  such 
circumstances,  would  subject  us  to  that  well-remem- 
bered reproach  of  one  of  the  old  prophets,  when, 
after  speaking  of  the  death  of  righteous  and  merciful 
men,  he  adds,  ‘‘  none  considering  that  they  were 
taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come.” 

Both  of  them  had  lived  long  and  honorable  and 


45 


useful  lives.  Both  of  them  knew  in  whom  they  had 
trusted,  and  were  ready  to  render  an  account  of  the 
stewardship  which  had  been  committed  to  them. 
Their  eulogies  have  already  been  pronounced  from 
the  pulpits  and  by  the  press  of  their  own  and  of 
other  States  ; and  by  a striking  coincidence,  an 
eloquent  funeral  tribute  to  the  one  has  just  been 
delivered  in  the  Chapel  founded  by  the  other.  It 
would  be  superfluous  for  me  to  add  anything  to  such 
tributes. 

Mr.  Appleton  died  a few  months  before  the  time 
when  he  would  again  have  been  elected,  without  a 
dissenting  voice,  to  the  seat  in  this  body,  which  he 
had  so  long  and  so  acceptably  filled.  As  his  name, 
therefore,  will  not  appear  on  our  rolls,  it  may 
hardly  be  appropriate  to  include  it  in  the  Eesolution 
which  I am  about  to  offer.  But  Mr.  Newton  was 
duly  chosen  a member  of  this  Convention,  and  died 
but  a few  weeks  before  the  time  of  our  meeting. 
Had  he  lived  to  be  present  with  us  once  more,  he 
would  not  only  have  been  the  senior  member  of  the 
Massachusetts  delegation,  but  would  have  been  enti- 
tled, if  I mistake  not,  both  from  his  length  of  ser- 
vice, and  from  his  devoted  attention  to  the  interests 
and  legislation  of  the  Church,  to  be  considered,  so 
far  as  the  Laity  at  least  are  concerned,  as  the 
Father  of  this  House,  It  seems  fit,  therefore,  that 


46 


the  records  of  the  Convention  should  bear  public 
and  permanent  testimony  to  the  deep  sense  which 
we  all  feel,  of  the  loss  which  has  been  sustained  by 
the  Convention,  and  by  the  whole  .Church,  in  his 
recent  death.  With  this  view,  and  under  the 
instruction  of  my  colleagues,  I offer  the  following 
Resolution : 

Resolved,  By  the  House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies,  that  we 
cannot  fail  to  miss,  from  his  long  accustomed  seat  in  our  Council, 
the  late  Honorable  Edward  A.  Newton,  of  Massachusetts,  and 
that  we  are  unwilling  that  his  name  should  disappear  from  the 
rolls  of  the  Convention,  without  an  expression  of  the  deep  regret 
with  which  we  have  heard  the  announcement  of  his  death,  and  of 
the  sincere  respect  which  we  entertain  for  his  memory. 


Alfred  Mudge  & Sod,  Printers,  34  School  Street 


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